Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Babri Masjid issue: Situation has changed, people want peace

Speaking to stakeholders on the Ram Temple issue on Saturday, spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said that the situation has changed and people want peace. Ravi Shankar added that a platform is needed where both communities can show the essence of brotherhood.

There were efforts is 2003-04 also but environment more positive now. Doing this in my own capacity, it is non-political. Babri Action Committee member Haji Mehboob said Sri Sri Ravi Shankar had "never talked with us nor had he sent us any message," a news agency reported.

Earlier reports by ANI suggested that spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar didn't speak to the Babri Action Committee about the long-running Babri Masjid dispute in Ayodhya.

"Long back one of Ravi Shankar's mediators called saying he wants to talk with me and I welcomed it. Maybe he had a conversation with the Hindu representatives but he never talked with us nor had he sent us any message....If he wants to talk to us we will talk as we do not any issue in having a conversing and solving the issue," ANI quoted Babri Action Committee member Haji Mehboob as saying.

According to reports, members of the Nirmohi Akhada and All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) asked the Art of Living founder to 'mediate' the Babri Masjid dispute.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said that the mediation process is yet to start and if called upon, he would definitely want to help."Some people came and met me that's all. There is positive energy with everybody and people want to settle the issue. If I need be to play that role (mediator), am all willing to do that," he said.  

"Both communities should come together and show their magnanimity... Cannot predict anything, but I only wish we for all to come together and do something great for the nation."